China's veteran foreign minister recently had a phone call with America's new secretary of state, conveying a subtle message to behave appropriately. This conversation marked their first interaction since the confirmation of the new U.S. secretary of state. During the call, the Chinese Foreign Minister used a phrase commonly employed to advise someone to act responsibly and make the right choices.
The phrase, while open to interpretation, was likely directed at the new U.S. secretary of state's past criticisms of China and its human rights record. This criticism had led to China imposing sanctions on him twice in 2020. The use of such language in diplomatic exchanges allows for the expression of expectations and warnings while maintaining a level of courtesy necessary for further engagement.
Despite the veiled warning, the U.S. statement on the phone call did not mention the specific phrase used by the Chinese Foreign Minister. Instead, it highlighted the Trump administration's commitment to advancing U.S. interests in its relationship with China and expressed concerns over China's actions in Taiwan and the South China Sea.
It is worth noting that the Chinese government had previously imposed travel bans on the U.S. secretary of state when he was a senator, in response to U.S. sanctions on Chinese officials related to the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang and perceived interference in Hong Kong. While China has indicated a willingness to engage with the new U.S. secretary of state, it remains unclear whether he will be allowed to visit the country for official discussions.
